Nigerian prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin has become the subject of online discussion following Zambia’s presidential election, after supporters claimed that his prediction about the poll had been fulfilled.
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema was on Tuesday declared winner of the August 13 presidential election, securing about 60 per cent of the vote to defeat his main challenger, Brian Mundubile, who polled about 38 per cent.
Fufeyin, the founder of Christ MercyLand Deliverance Ministries, had, during a Sunday service on August 9, four days before the election, spoken about the forthcoming Zambian poll.
In a video circulating online, the prophet specifically mentioned Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) and an opposition grouping, which he identified as “NRPUP”, as the two major forces in the election.
He also predicted tension during the election and called for prayers against violence, saying he was “seeing” a difficult contest between the political camps.
“Let us pray for peaceful election for them. I am seeing one of the parties is coming up with gragra,” he said, explaining “gragra” as violence.
The video also contained claims that there would be disputes over results, destruction of ballot papers and an interruption in the announcement of results.
Several of those events subsequently occurred during the election process.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia temporarily suspended the counting and announcement of results after violence against election officials and the theft of ballot papers. Counting later resumed after security concerns were addressed.
The opposition also claimed victory before the final results were announced, while the electoral commission warned candidates against making premature declarations.
The election was ultimately won by Hichilema, contradicting the apparent suggestion in the circulated video that the opposition had the stronger grassroots support and could take power.
Reports also confirmed that the election was marred by violence and other disruptions, although international observers described the overall process as largely peaceful while raising concerns about restrictions and an uneven campaign environment.
The apparent similarities between some of Fufeyin’s statements and subsequent developments have triggered debate online, with social media users questioning whether the events amounted to a fulfilment of the prophecy
One online reaction read: “Do people still believe prophecies? Anyway, life is very spiritual for real.”
The video has therefore continued to generate debate, particularly over whether broad predictions about election tensions, violence and disputed results can be regarded as specific prophecies or interpreted after events have occurred.
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